CEBU, Philippines - Joyce Dublin, a 30-year-old former habal-habal driver, will soon reach his greatest pit stop as he will finally earn his Bachelor’s degree in Education, Major in Mathematics at the Cebu Technological University-Daanbantayan campus this month.

His years of hard work will finally pay off as he will march with flying colors as magna cum laude. PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Joyce Dublin

Even with a bright future ahead, Dublin, who graduated as class valedictorian in high school, had to give up his plans for college in order to help his family. Dublin had to work as a habal-habal or motorcycle driver in order to help his mother, who sells bread, to make ends meet for their family.

During one of his trips, Dublin met a passenger who would forever change his life. After learning about Dublin’s performance in school, the kind-hearted passenger offered to pay for his education.

Realizing that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Dublin accepted the offer without second thoughts and soon enrolled at the university. Eventually, he also received a scholarship grant from the university.

According to his professors, Dublin displayed real passion for work while working as an intern. They said that the Education major taught students “even beyond the walls of the classroom”.

After earning his Bachelor’s degree, Dublin hopes to fulfil his goal of becoming a licensed teacher. A review center has already offered him a discount to prepare for the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

A common mode of transportation in rough, steep terrain and narrow roads in the Philippines which jeepneys and tricycles cannot withstand, habal-habal is a motorcycle modified to sit more than two people.

In Cebu City, habal-habal will soon operate under an online booking system so drivers can’t collect big fees from passengers.